Council Member appointments and terms are defined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012. Appointments comply with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) process set out in the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.
The Council is made up of five members, including the Chairperson.
The members are appointed by the Minister for Finance based on their experience and competence in domestic and international macroeconomic and fiscal matters. The Council tends to have an international dimension with some members based outside of Ireland.
In practice, when a Council position is set to become available, there is a call for applications. A selection committee is then formed, consisting of four to five members: one or two representatives from the Public Appointments Service, a representative from the Department of Finance, the Council Chair and an external stakeholder. The selection committee reviews the applicants and draws up a shortlist of three candidates. The Minister for Finance then appoints from the shortlisted
candidates.
The initial appointments to the Council were made on a staggered basis with terms of office ranging from two to four years. Thereafter the standard term of office was for four years.
From 16 December 2020, Council members cannot serve more than three consecutive terms but are eligible for reappointment at a later time.
Council members may resign at any time during their term of office by official letter submitted to the Minister for Finance.
The Minister may terminate appointments in certain circumstances provided that a resolution stating the grounds for such is passed by Dáil Éireann. The Council’s governing legislation sets out the circumstances where this may happen:
- A member is unable to effectively carry out their duties due to ill-health.
- A member has committed stated misbehaviour.
- The Minister deems that there is a significant conflict of interest.
A person is disqualified from being appointed to the Council, or their appointment will cease if they are adjudicated bankrupt, have made a composition with creditors, are convicted of offences, have had a declaration under Section 150 of the Companies Act 1990 made against them, or have been subject to a disqualification order under Part VII of that Act.